With so many professional projects on the go both with my staff
and class, coupled with my personal life, it's been hard to justify or find the time to spend writing a post for my edublog. That's not to say that I've not had many, many thoughts about writing a post however...This year I've continued leading staff at my school in their eLearning PD. It has been so rewarding to see the change in their pedagogies over the past 2 and a half years. The 'shift' has been made by many of our teachers, now when we introduce a new tool they are able to creatively use it appropriately in their teaching to enhance learning/communication/sense of community.
- The resource I've built up with my team over the past 2-3 years can be viewed here: http://nelsoncentral.wikispaces.com/
I'm also, of course, still teaching full time year 2 students. They're such a neat bunch of 26 kids who take everything in their stride and lap up all the scaffolding I provide for them. They are developing such independent skills and love being able to use all aspects of technology in their learning. They amaze me everyday in the way that they seamlessly use digital learning tools with growing confidence and fearlessness.
- Our Class Blog can be viewed here: http://room9nelsoncentral2009.blogspot.com/
- Our Class Learning Hub (wiki) provides much of the structure throughout the day and allows even 6 year olds some independence when navigating the web for their learning: http://room9nelsoncentral.wikispaces.com/
I've also had plenty of time this year to work with other teachers from other schools and clusters. Meeting a variety of teachers from around the country is always exciting and the discussions that flow always rewarding. In the recent sc
hool holidays I was invited to do a keynote presentation and workshop at the Eastnet Cluster Expo, this proved nerve-wracking but was most definetly a rewarding professional experience being only my 2nd keynote speech/address.Coupled with all this exciting stuff, I was absolutely amazed and honoured a month ago to have been asked to present a keynote for the 'Week in the Classroom' strand of the 2009 K12 Online Conference. Stay tuned for more on this!!!
So yes, still very much in the scene, still learning, unlearning and relearning and hopefully helping others to do the same!
Keep an eye out for me :)
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Image attributions:
'In Search Of Lost Time' www.flickr.com/photos/28548387@N00/556656621
Keynote photo by @heymilly
Great to have you back in action Rachel. I always enjoy your posts and follow your class blog. I recommend it to our Junior Primary teachers as an example of what you cn do with 5-7 year olds & a blog.You certainly seem to have achieved a lot with your staff.
ReplyDeleteHey, Good to read you again. I love catching up whenever we're able. You're working so hard and are inspiring others. Keep going.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Rachel - we've missed you! It was fantastic to have you at our cluster expo in the holidays. The feedback in our survey has been overwhelming positive for your keynote presentation. I'm not at all surprised you were asked to present a keynote for the 2009 K12 Online Conference ... and I'm sure there is more of this to come for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, a new post from Rachel! I just want to say, that you are a huge inspiration in my work as a teacher in Stenungsund, Sweden.
ReplyDeleteKeep up your good work.